Strasbourgvs.Toulouse

The hosts are seventh in the table, trailing the top six by just two points, while the visitors are 10th in the standings, eight points adrift from the European places.

Match preview

Strasbourg, having battled against relegation from Ligue 1 in the last two seasons - surviving by five points in 2022-23 and 10 points last campaign - are experiencing a markedly improved 2024-25.

The Blue-and-Whites are vying for a top-six finish in Ligue 1 as they aim to secure European football for the first time since their round-of-16 defeat to Basel in the UEFA Cup in 2005-06.

Liam Rosenior, who took charge of the side in July 2024, has guided Strasbourg to 40 points in the league after 25 fixtures, from 11 wins, seven draws and seven defeats, leaving his men just two points behind sixth-placed Lyon.

The hosts have been in particularly strong form in recent weeks, with eight wins, three draws and just one defeat from their last 12 league outings, seeing the side climb from 14th to seventh.

That streak includes a five-match unbeaten streak in the lead up to this game, a run of matches that has seen Strasbourg score six and concede none, leaving them in a brilliant place coming into Sunday's clash.

Strasbourg's form and league standings will mean they are the favourites on Sunday, although their opponents, Toulouse, could prove to be a challenging foe.

Toulouse, who were promoted from Ligue 2 in 2021-22, have gradually improved their league standings in their two years back in the top flight, placing 13th in 2022-23 and 11th in 2023-24.

However, Carles Martinez's side endured a miserable start to the 2024-25 season, recording only one win from their opening eight fixtures, alongside four defeats and three draws.

Those results left them narrowly above the relegation zone in 15th, but the Violets have gone on to secure eight wins, four draws and five defeats, seeing them climb away from the drop zone and into 10th.

Toulouse now hold a significant 13-point lead over 16th-placed Le Havre, making relegation unlikely, while they trail sixth-placed Lyon by only eight points.

Martinez will be hoping they can build on their recent results, two victories and a draw, in order to move closer to the top six and potentially secure qualification to European competition.

Strasbourg do have a fantastic record in this meeting, though, with the Blue-and-Whites winning 10, drawing four and losing only one of the last 15 encounters.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

L

W

W

D

W

W

Strasbourg form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

W

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

D

D

L

W

W

D

Toulouse form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

W

D

Team News

Abakar Sylla is suspended after receiving a red card earlier this month, while Dilane Bakwa is also suspended after accumulating 10 yellow cards across the course of the campaign.

Andrew Omobamidele (Achilles tendon), Habib Diarra (ankle), Dion Sahi (Achilles tendon) and Thomas Delaine (knee) are all also unlikely to feature due to ongoing injury issues.

As for Toulouse, Guillaume Restes (thigh), Joshua King (muscle), Niklas Schmidt (cruciate ligament), Rasmus Nicolaisen (ankle) and Zakaria Aboukhlal (thigh) are all ruled out through injury.

After securing two wins and a draw in their last three matches, Martinez is expected to name a similar starting 11 in this one, including Frank Magri in attack after the striker has scored in each of his last three appearances.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure; Bakwa, Santos, Barco, Moreira; Lemarechal, Nanasi; Emegha

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Haug; Sidibe, Cresswell, McKenzie; Messali, Canvot, Sierro, Suazo; Donnum, Babicka; Magri

We say: Strasbourg 2-0 Toulouse

Written by

Ellis Stevens

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